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Planeta Imaginario: Optical Delusions

By Mark Redlefsen
March 18, 2011
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The term "progressive," when used to describe jazz fusion/rock, suggests a constant forward movement in the music. On Optical Delusions, Planeta Imaginario's third release (and the group's second for international distribution outside of their homeland of Spain), there is a shift towards a sort of larger jazz group sound. The Barcelona-based group delivers thirteen intricate compositions and themes that reckon their Canterbury-flavored music with an overall

Gil Evans

composer / conductor
1912 - 1988

" data-original-title="" title="">Gil Evans-type vibe. The omission of guitar on this release contrasts with PI's last CD, Biomasa (Cuneiform, 2008).

Keyboardist/leader Marc Capel asserts his tone from the onset of the first song, "Collective Action (Accio Col-lectiva)," laying down a solid Fender Rhodes, with his Hammond organ pushing behind it. He lays into his Yamaha and other synthesizers at just the right moments, filling in the right measure of color and sound effect on "The Garden of Happy Cows (El Jardi de Les Vaques Alegres)." There are some reflective and pastoral moments on "Good Luck, My Friend (Bona Sort Amic Meu)" and "Introduction to Sidewalk Licker (Introduccio de Llepavoreres)," where Capel's solo piano work reveals finer impressionist and classical instincts.

On "Xarramandusca (Including Exile)," the sound of

Soft Machine

band / ensemble / orchestra
b.1966

" data-original-title="" title="">Soft Machine's Fifth (Sony/BMG Music UK, 1972) period appears in the music, but with a twist. Multi-reed player Alfonso Munoz takes an

Elton Dean

saxophone
1945 - 2006

" data-original-title="" title="">Elton Dean-like stance toward a sort of

Anthony Braxton

woodwinds
b.1945

" data-original-title="" title="">Anthony Braxton-versus-drums crescendo. Drummer Vasco Trilla Gomes dos santos modulates his solid support between pushing bassist Dimitris Bikos and shadowboxing with the various horns on "Hemangioma." Main co-arranger and trombonist The-Hien Trinh compliments songs like the opus-like closer, "The Sea...And Later The Sun...And The Reflection (El Mar. I Llavors Sorti El Sol.. I El Reflexe)," with graceful phrasing.

The King Crimson,

Frank Zappa

guitar, electric
1940 - 1993

" data-original-title="" title="">Frank Zappa, and

Henry Cow

" data-original-title="" title="">Henry Cow moments have not completely left the music, but there is simply more space. The music benefits from having enough guest horns on tap to give it full body. The sophistication of the arrangements are grounded in solid compositions that exalt feel over chops. With its larger ensemble sound, Optical Delusions appears to be Planeta Imaginario's most ambitious disc to date, as well as one of 2011's most robust releases.

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Track Listing

Collective Action (Accio Col-lectiva; The Garden of Happy Cows (El Jardi de Les Vaques Alegres); Xarramandusca (Including Exile); Good Luck, My Friend (Bona Sort Amic Meu); The Little Dog-Man's Clinical Preludes (Preludis Clinics del Home-gos): Angioma; Scalpel (Bisturi); Hemangioma; Introduction to Sidewalk Licker (Introduccio de Llepavoreres); Sidewalk Licker (Llepavoreres); Imperfect Elements in Red Quartz (Elements Imperfectes Sobre Quarz Vermell); Imperfect Purity (Element de La Puresa Imperfecte); Pure and Imperfect Art Element (Element del Art Pur I Imperfecte); Imperfect Persuasive Element (Element de La Persuasio Imperfecte); The Sea...And Later The Sun...And The Reflection (El Mar. I Llavors Sorti El Sol.. I El Reflexe).

Personnel

Planeta Imaginario

band / ensemble / orchestra

Marc Capel: Hammond L100 organ, Fender Rhoades piano, Challen piano, Yamaha CS60, and Jen SX 1000 synthesizers; Dmitris Bikos: fretless bass; Natsuko Sugao: trumpet; The-Hien Trinh: trombone; Alfonso Munoz: alto, soprano and baritone saxophones and percussion; Vasco Trilla Gomes dos santos: drums and percussion; Sisu Corominas: tenor and alto saxophones; Pablo Selnik: flute (9-13); Guillem Serra Llorenc: French horn (1,2,5-7); Liba Villavechia: tenor sax solos (1,2).

Album information

Title: Optical Delusions | Year Released: 2011 | Record Label: Cuneiform Records

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